Criminal Defense
Get an Attorney for Your Child (Part 2)
Often times, a criminal investigation or charge involving your minor child will result in an expulsion hearing at their public school. It is important to seek a competent and aggressive attorney for assistance. If the criminal charges arise from a school incident, this could trigger expulsion by the school district. Sometimes the school may attempt to expel even without a criminal charge being filed. Expulsion is a serious matter. It…
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Get an Attorney for Your Child (Part 1)
Your son or daughter is being charged with a crime in California. You do not know what to do or who to turn to for help. You are embarrassed or perhaps ashamed of your child's conduct. The laws in Juvenile Court are very different than in adult court. At a young age, it is very important to keep your child's criminal record clean. Minors have virtually unlimited doors of opportunity…
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Supreme Court Rules that Juvenile “Strikes” Can be Used Under Three Strikes Law
Why You Need an Experienced Three Strikes Criminal Defense Law Firm In the recent case of Superior Court v. Nguyen held that a juvenile who was adjudicated a ward of the court in Juvenile Court for a crime that would be considered a strike under California Three Strike Laws will count as a strike if that juvenile offender commits another felony. In a 6-1 Supreme Court decision, the Nguyen case…
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Juvenile Strikes in California Count
Why You Should Call a Juvenile Defense Attorney The recent case of Superior Court v. Nguyen held that a juvenile adjudicated a ward of the court in Juvenile Court for a crime that would be considered a strike under California's Three Strike Laws will count as a strike if that juvenile offender commits another felony. In a 6-1 Supreme Court decision, Nguyen allows prosecutors to allege a prior juvenile strike…
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Minor in Possession Requires an Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney
Are you a minor who was recently cited for drinking alcohol? If your answer is yes, you are not alone. There are many incidents that involve underage drinkers. It is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to have any alcohol in their system. Maximum penalties can include License suspension for one year, fines, and could possibly affect school and employment. One thing is for sure, you are not…
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Know Your Rights: Students Are Protected from Strip Searches by School Officials
The U.S. Supreme Court recently decided a strip search was illegal where a minor student was suspected of carrying Ibuprofen on campus. During an incident in 2003 at Safford Middle School, a student told school officials that Savana Redding was carrying the painkillers. Two female staffers proceeded to conduct the strip search of Redding, but found no pills. The Supreme Court affirmed the 9th U.S. Circuit of Appeals ruling in…
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Know Your Rights: Even Minors Are Protected From the Tyranny of Illegal Searches
The California Court of Appeal recently decided In re H.H. (2009 DJDAR 7935), a case involving a minor who was illegally searched after being pulled over for riding a bicycle without proper lighting equipment. When the minor was pulled over he was asked to "step from the bicycle" at which time he took off the backpack he was wearing and said "I am not on probation" and refused to give…
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Juveniles Facing Life in Prison Challenging Sentencing Based Upon Cruel and Unusual Punishment Provision of United States Constitution
It was reported in the Los Angeles Daily Journal recently that there are over 2,000 juveniles in custody facing life sentences without the possibility of parole in the United States at this time. Two cases pending before the United States Supreme Court challenge the constitutionality of these harsh sentences for juvenile crimes. In 2005, the US Supreme Court ruled that a person could not be executed if they were found…
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Consequences of Underage Drinking and Possession of Alcohol
Minor in Possession of Alcohol: You Need an Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney to Fight the Charges Are you a minor who was recently cited for drinking alcohol? Does your son or daughter face these charges? If your answer is yes, you are not alone. There are many incidents that involve underage drinkers. It is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to possess alcoholic beverages of any kind. If…
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Educating Your Kids About the Law to Prevent Juvenile Crimes
Being a parent can be overwhelming, especially knowing we are legally responsible for our kids' actions until they reach the age of majority. Eighteen is the age of majority is most states including California. While we do the best we can to teach our kids good morals and values, right from wrong, there might come a time when kids make the wrong choices. These wrong choices might lead a parent…
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